AIIMS Bibinagar, DRDL develop India’s first high-performance carbon fibre foot prosthesis

Hyderabad: India has unveiled its first indigenously developed high-performance carbon fibre foot prosthesis.

`ADIDOC Foot Prosthesis' is designed by AIIMS Bibinagar in collaboration with the Defence Research and Development Laboratory (DRDL), DRDO.

The prosthesis, developed to serve India’s large amputee population with an affordable, durable, and functional solution, was officially launched at AIIMS Bibinagar on July 14 by Dr. G. A. Srinivasa Murthy, Director, DRDL-DRDO, and Dr. Ahanthem Santa Singh, Executive Director, AIIMS Bibinagar. Praveen Kumar, CMD of the Artificial Limb Corporation of India (ALIMCO), participated virtually.

Bridging the Accessibility Gap in Prosthetics

India has long depended on expensive imports for high-end carbon prosthetic feet, making them financially inaccessible for most individuals in need. The ADIDOC Foot aims to change that.

“This is the first ‘Make in India’ design for a high-performance carbon fibre foot prosthesis,” said Dr. G. A. Srinivasa Murthy. “The ADIDOC Foot has been biomechanically validated for loads up to 125 kg with a sufficient factor of safety, ensuring endurance and longevity.”

Designed for K3-level active users, the foot comes in three variants tailored to different weight categories and includes a feature to accommodate longer below-knee residual limb stumps, enhancing comfort and adaptability.

Affordable Alternative with Global Potential

Unlike international models that can cost around ₹2 lakh, the ADIDOC Foot is expected to retail at less than ₹20,000 in bulk production. Developers hope this will significantly improve access to quality prosthetics in India.

“The aim was to develop a cost-effective, high-functioning prosthetic foot accessible to the people who need it the most,” said Dr. Ahanthem Santa Singh. “We believe this initiative will lead to greater social and economic inclusion for people with disabilities.”

Collaborative Effort and Technical Details

The project is the result of a concerted effort between engineers and doctors across disciplines. Key contributors from DRDL-DRDO include:

Dr. G.A. Srinivasa Murthy

MSR Prasad, Distinguished Scientist (Retd) & former DG-MSS

Dr. J John Rozario Jegaraj, R. Santhosh, R. Gopikrishna

Faculty from the Departments of Orthopaedics & PMR at AIIMS Bibinagar played a pivotal role in clinical inputs and design validation:

Dr. Maheshwar Lakkireddy, Dr. Y Ranjith Kumar, Dr. Sandip Dhole,

Dr. Deepankar Satapathy, Dr. Syed Ifthekar, Dr. Deepak Kumar M, and Dr. Srikanth E

The prototype manufacturing for biomechanical testing was handled by M/s Ramesh Aerospace Products & Services Pvt. Ltd., Vijayawada.

A Step Toward Medical Device Self-Reliance

“This is a defining moment,” said Dr. Maheshwar Lakkireddy. “By making quality prosthetics more accessible, we are ensuring that the right to mobility does not depend on one’s economic status.”

The launch marks a significant milestone for India’s ambition to become self-reliant in medical technologies. It is also expected to open export opportunities, potentially positioning India as a global provider of affordable, high-quality prosthetic solutions.

“The ADIDOC Foot Prosthesis not only addresses an urgent need but sets a benchmark for indigenous innovation in healthcare,” said Praveen Kumar, CMD, ALIMCO, in his virtual address. “This is the kind of initiative that embodies the true spirit of Atmanirbhar Bharat.”

Looking Ahead

With the launch of the ADIDOC Foot, India takes a definitive step forward in assistive technology innovation. As global demand grows for accessible healthcare solutions, this initiative could serve as a model for future collaborations between the health and defence sectors.

The foot prosthesis is expected to begin wider distribution after further testing and certification, and its makers hope to see it in hospitals and rehabilitation centres across the country within the year.